24 July 2012

room 206, southampton college of art, 1969-70

This is one of those things that I can't remember doing. 1969-70 was the final year of our graphic design course, and there were 15 people that I shared a studio with. And I photographed them all.

And what strikes me over 40 years on? Well, just how 'English' they all were. And how many of them smoked - including many of those who aren't smoking here. That was a bug that never bit me. I wasn't born to be a smoker. But, looking at these again now, I just wonder how much the cigarettes were shields - something to hide behind and disguise their insecurities.

And the surprises? Well, that they all agreed to be photographed - even though they wouldn't all acknowledge the camera. But more surprising than that is that I have absolutely no recollection of two of them (one male, one female).

I'd like to tell you that I could name them all, but I can't. And for only two could I give you both their christian and surnames. And those two, I guess, were my best friends at the time.

But we all moved on. I wonder what happened to them all. And what stories they may have to tell.

Who knows? They may even be looking at themselves on this post right now.

Here they (or you) are - in no particular order:

And in case you're wondering: what's with the double exposure? That's what the inside of his head was like.